Was : East German collection. Now : MZ Thread

[Stinkwheel]

Today I was up bright and early heading off about 7am in the 235k mile Sevel van of Mk1 flavour for the bright lights of England.

I can tell you Poo count was 1 and Cups of tea was also 1.

Arrived 150 ish miles later and met the absolutely top bloke @plasticvandan as a deal had been made for something, which I think, is the absolute bees knees, so here it is….

Thats right, last time it was taxed was 1986. It’s even still wearing it’s factory issue DDR front tyre (yes, it’ll be getting changed obviously)

Of the many bikes I’ve had, never had an MZ, this one is a 1977 TS 150

Wish me luck, I might need it 🤣

[plasticvandan]

Damn,your camera is so much better than mine,I could have got more😅 welcome to the addictive world of East German two strokes

[Marm Toastsmith]

Had loads of MZs in the past, love them. Have fun - much tinkering ahead no doubt!

[Stinkwheel]

14 minutes ago, plasticvandan said:

Damn,your camera is so much better than mine,I could have got more😅 welcome to the addictive world of East German two strokes

I think I’m hooked already and all I’ve done is get it out the van, sit on it and put it onto the ramp in the garage. Now drinking tea 

It rustproofed the van for me by dumping all its fork oil as wel 🤣

[Kringle]

Top buy, slightly disappointed that you didn't go behind the iron curtain to get it.

[Stinkwheel]

3 minutes ago, Kringle said:

Top buy, slightly disappointed that you didn't go behind the iron curtain to get it.

Now you mention it, I’m also disappointed about that, maybe next time 

[N Dentressangle]

17 minutes ago, Kringle said:

Top buy, slightly disappointed that you didn't go behind the iron curtain to get it.

Yeah, I was hoping for a roadtrip to Cottbus or somewhere 🤣

Although the former DDR has changed so much there are probably more MZ bikes here these days. I remember it in 1992, when everyone still burned brown coal briquettes for heating and there was still some 2 stroke haze on the streets.

[Stinkwheel]

1 hour ago, N Dentressangle said:

Yeah, I was hoping for a roadtrip to Cottbus or somewhere 🤣

Although the former DDR has changed so much there are probably more MZ bikes here these days. I remember it in 1992, when everyone still burned brown coal briquettes for heating and there was still some 2 stroke haze on the streets.

I’d properly love to go and see the old MZ factory, I’ve always had this shady and weird but amazing image of it in my mind, from when I first saw it on an old series that Robbie Coltrane did called ‘Coltranes Planes & Automobiles’ I think it was. 
Something about 2 strokes, all types, they are just bloody brilliant. 

[Zelandeth]

Welcome to the mad house!

[plasticvandan]

The factory still stands,it's been a bowling alley,nightclub amongst other things since the fall of the wall.im not sure wether there are still 50:1 fuel station pumps now though,that was regular back then, the straight 2star (probably lower octane! ) pump would have been on its own 

[plasticvandan]

My ETZ250, one of the last before the wall came down (mz purist 😅) done 40,000 largely trouble free miles on it,will have had it ten years next year,longest I've owned anything I think.currently in hibernation at my dad's,but still fired up third kick when I went to fetch the TS,with five year old fuel and a battery that's not been touched since last June(and not touched for two years before that!)

[Stinkwheel]

40 minutes ago, plasticvandan said:

My ETZ250, one of the last before the wall came down (mz purist 😅) done 40,000 largely trouble free miles on it,will have had it ten years next year,longest I've owned anything I think.currently in hibernation at my dad's,but still fired up third kick when I went to fetch the TS,with five year old fuel and a battery that's not been touched since last June(and not touched for two years before that!)

That’s very nice. Hoping you can get back to it and get it back in the road soon 👍

[Matty]

3 hours ago, N Dentressangle said:

Yeah, I was hoping for a roadtrip to Cottbus or somewhere 🤣

Although the former DDR has changed so much there are probably more MZ bikes here these days. I remember it in 1992, when everyone still burned brown coal briquettes for heating and there was still some 2 stroke haze on the streets.

Childhood holidays in the 80s pal. Remember it well.

[Matty]

Pictures of the Sevel van please @Stinkwheel. Bikes nice as well mind 😄

[Stinkwheel]

2 minutes ago, Matty said:

Pictures of the Sevel van please @Stinkwheel. Bikes nice as well mind 😄

No problem, it’s a good old bus really 

235k on it now. Had it 10 years now. Until recently the A/C even worked (but now doesn’t)

[Matty]

2 minutes ago, Stinkwheel said:

No problem, it’s a good old bus really 

235k on it now. Had it 10 years now. Until recently the A/C even worked (but now doesn’t)

I had a scudo. Loved it. Especially the "throttle" pedal that was actually a volume control device. At least it had very little effect on forward motion. Great vans from back when vans were proper. Comfy as being in bed 👍

[Daviemck2006]

Those vans are much, much better than their replacements. Have owned 4 of them, two car versions and two vans, and worked for a taxi firm who had 6 of them. Highest mileage one was 345k last time I drove it and it was still a taxi 2 years later. Cracking things. I recently had a 14 plate dispatch, only 127k covered and I hated it. Non stop problems and not nearly as comfortable.

[chaseracer]

More on the red GS parked in the hedge please, Matt... 😎

[Stinkwheel]

42 minutes ago, chaseracer said:

More on the red GS parked in the hedge please, Matt... 😎

Like these ? 😁

[Schaefft]

7 hours ago, N Dentressangle said:

Yeah, I was hoping for a roadtrip to Cottbus or somewhere 🤣

Although the former DDR has changed so much there are probably more MZ bikes here these days. I remember it in 1992, when everyone still burned brown coal briquettes for heating and there was still some 2 stroke haze on the streets.

I'm not sure about MZs but the Simson S51 was still by far the most common/popular sight around my area when it comes to 50cc starter bikes (which is the first thing you'd get as someone turning 14/15 growing up in the countryside). Power restriction laws didn't apply due to their age. That was in the late 00s but things probably haven't changed all that much.

[plasticvandan]

I may be wrong but from.what I remember there was no waiting list for Simsons (and possibly MZs/bikes in general) which is one reason they were so common,plus of course being the cheapest powered transport available.

[Stinkwheel]

I find it amazing that there was no waiting list for bikes, considering how long the reputed Trabant list supposedly was back in the Iron Curtain Heyday.

The handbook you gave me to go with the bike is fantastic. I love the way its written, In particular the bit about looking after your new MZ properly, as the last thing you want in a few years is a huge repair bill from a workshop simply because and I quote 'the repair bill will be entirely your own fault for not maintaining the motorcycle correctly'

Its amazing because its true and its refreshing to hear real world advice and tips in a handbook and not just 'sales speak' stuff

[andy18s]

16 hours ago, N Dentressangle said:

Yeah, I was hoping for a roadtrip to Cottbus or somewhere 🤣

Although the former DDR has changed so much there are probably more MZ bikes here these days. I remember it in 1992, when everyone still burned brown coal briquettes for heating and there was still some 2 stroke haze on the streets.

They're all getting hoovered up and exported to Germany, meaning the prices are going a bit silly for them now..

[castros_bro]

I lived in Berlin when there was a wall.  2 friends from UK visited one on MZ 250  one on Commando 850 - the MZ was caught for speeding on German motorway where the Norton it was following was not - much to annoyance of Norton rider.

 

 

 

PS.  The routes from West Germany to West Berlin went through DDR where there was a speed reduction when passing tankstelle this was patrolled by (souped up?) police Lada hiding behind a specially placed road sign. 

[Verysleepyboy]

Nice MZ!

I also have recently acquired a MZ TS150 - 1981 model in fairly decent complete condition. Was assured it was a good runner before it was parked up about 18 months ago, but so far I have been unable to get it running. Would be good to share experiences with you if possible?

[Stinkwheel]

1 hour ago, Verysleepyboy said:

Nice MZ!

I also have recently acquired a MZ TS150 - 1981 model in fairly decent complete condition. Was assured it was a good runner before it was parked up about 18 months ago, but so far I have been unable to get it running. Would be good to share experiences with you if possible?

Much Like, yours looks in really nice condition.

What have you tried so far to get it running? Does it have a spark?

 

[Verysleepyboy]

2 hours ago, Stinkwheel said:

Much Like, yours looks in really nice condition.

What have you tried so far to get it running? Does it have a spark?

 

It's not quite as nice as it looks from a distance - brush painted and the chrome isn't great, but it is pretty much complete, and the Lux version with the twin clocks etc.

Had it running very briefly when I picked it up but only for about 1 minute then it died and haven't been able to kick anything into life since. Very weak spark - so that needs further attention but trying to get time on it isn't easy currently.

[Stinkwheel]

5 minutes ago, Verysleepyboy said:

It's not quite as nice as it looks from a distance - brush painted and the chrome isn't great, but it is pretty much complete, and the Lux version with the twin clocks etc.

Had it running very briefly when I picked it up but only for about 1 minute then it died and haven't been able to kick anything into life since. Very weak spark - so that needs further attention but trying to get time on it isn't easy currently.

Might just be an easy win to be had here, r/h engine cover, 1 screw holding it on. Open it up and have a look at the points, run some emery cloth between the contacts. Amazing how often a poor spark can be bought back by cleaning the points

[Stinkwheel]

In todays MZ news, Its still on its standard size piston and bore, never had a rebore and seemingly doesnt need one (OK, so i have actually ordered a new piston kit, It makes sense to have a new one in there with its full count of rings)

This seems amazing to me as its showing 32k on the speedo. Is it likely its done 32k with little or no piston/bore wear?

 

[Verysleepyboy]

5 minutes ago, Stinkwheel said:

Might just be an easy win to be had here, r/h engine cover, 1 screw holding it on. Open it up and have a look at the points, run some emery cloth between the contacts. Amazing how often a poor spark can be bought back by cleaning the points

When I get a chance, I'll give that a go - thank you!

Where are you based? Would be good to have some DDR related show and tell if possible?